Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie are set to continue their collaboration with a film adaptation of Daniel Pinkwater’s young adult novel, “Lizard Music”. The project is in development at Amazon-MGM/United Artists.
Safdie will take on directing duties and is also penning the adapted screenplay for the film. Johnson is attached to star in the leading role of the “Chicken Man”. The project brings Pinkwater’s quirky and imaginative 1976 novel to a new generation.
The story of “Lizard Music” follows a young boy who stumbles upon a secret, late-night television broadcast featuring a band of music-playing lizards. His quest to uncover the truth behind the mysterious show leads him on an extraordinary adventure.
On his journey, the boy meets the eccentric septuagenarian known as the Chicken Man, who will be portrayed by Johnson. The Chicken Man is accompanied by his 111-year-old chicken friend, Claudia. Together, the group sets out to explore a hidden, undiscovered society.
The new project follows Johnson and Safdie’s first collaboration on the A24 film “The Smashing Machine,” which was released in theaters earlier this month. While the film under-performed at the box office, it remains in the awards conversation, particularly for Johnson’s critically acclaimed portrayal of UFC Hall of Famer Mark Kerr. The movie also marked a milestone for Safdie as his first solo directorial effort after co-directing acclaimed films like “Good Time” and “Uncut Gems” with his brother, Josh Safdie.
